Google has announced a significant update to its ‘Find My Device’ feature for Android, introducing the ability to track valuables using third-party Bluetooth trackers and providing warnings about unwanted nearby Apple AirTags. This major update aims to leverage the vast number of Android devices worldwide to help users locate lost or stolen items, even when they are offline.
The enhanced ‘Find My Device’ feature will allow users to utilize other nearby Android devices to locate lost belongings, such as headphones left at the gym. Additionally, by partnering with popular third-party Bluetooth trackers like Tile and Chipolo, users will be able to track other valuable items, including bicycles and suitcases.
As Google builds a tracking network based on billions of Android devices, privacy concerns naturally arise. To address these concerns, Google emphasizes that it has taken the necessary time to prioritize privacy. Similar to Apple’s Find My network, location information on the new Find My Device network is encrypted, ensuring that neither Google nor any other party can determine the precise location of a user’s devices.
The noteworthy aspect of this update is the introduction of ‘Unknown tracker alerts’ on Android, which was made possible through a collaboration between Google and Apple. Android phones will now notify users if an unrecognized tracking tag is moving with them, enabling them to locate and address the situation. Importantly, these alerts will function across all phones, including iPhones, due to the new standard agreed upon by Google and Apple.
Google plans to launch the new Find My Device experience and ‘Unknown tracker alerts’ later this summer. While the existing ‘Find My Device’ feature on Android has been limited to the device’s most recent known location, this update transforms it into a vast object-tracking network powered by billions of Android devices.
However, the expanded capabilities of the Find My Device feature may also generate controversy when fully deployed. Google seeks to alleviate concerns by highlighting the encryption of location information and the implementation of ‘Unknown tracker alerts’ based on the cross-platform standard developed with Apple.
Although Apple has made efforts to address concerns surrounding the potential misuse of Bluetooth trackers, skepticism remains. As a result, controversies surrounding these issues may intensify with the launch of the upgraded ‘Find My Device’ feature.
While the establishment of a cross-platform standard for ‘Unknown tracker alerts’ is a positive step, its effectiveness in practice remains to be seen before users fully embrace the idea of incorporating Bluetooth trackers into their lives.
